Of the 500 art boards depicting what the word compassion means to area children ages 7 through 14, an art project created by a Toms River Girl Scout earned her troop a $1000 from Rotem Dental Care in the Compassionate Toms River art project, initiated by Dr. Ron Rotem, 355 Lakehurst Road, Toms River.

Nine-year-old Nikolette Lebright, Toms River, depicted her idea of compassion as part of her Girl Scout troop’s project. Leader Jenn Ciarvino and Assistant Leader Michele Thomas said after they heard about the Compassion Toms River contest, they introduced the idea to the troop at a meeting. The scouts were enthusiastic about participating.

The troop, made up of nine and ten year olds, meets at Hooper Ave Elementary, Toms River, every other Monday. They will use the prize money to make donations and to pay for such troop trips as Disney on Ice, Sleepover in Discovery Museum, and camping trips. The Girls Scouts also participate in volunteer work, such as the Salvation Army, Relay for Life, Foodbank donations, and planting flowers at local schools.

Dr. Rotem organized and founded the Compassionate Toms River movement as part of the Charter for Compassion, a drive that is striving to activate the Golden Rule around the world. Dr. Rotem said, “Compassionate Toms River is a cooperative effort to restore not only compassionate thinking; but, more importantly, compassionate action, which many feel is the center of religious, moral and political life.”

Comcast Spotlight, the first partner of compassionate Toms River, donated more than 500 canvas art boards (9×12). Recently the Ocean County YMCA, 1088 W. Whitty Road, Toms River, displayed all the art boards throughout the building and invited viewers to vote for their favorites. Based on the People’s Choice votes, 130 art boards were displayed at the Grunin Center, Building #12, Ocean County College, 1 College Drive, Toms River, N.J.